My Favorite Wildlife Encounter - Lion Attacks Mountain Goat, Glacier National Park, Montana 1992

During the spring of 1992, I was photographing mountain goats at the “goat lick”, a natural salt lick on the southern border of Glacier National Park, Montana. I began photographing a group of about 20 goats that were resting on a hillside near the mineral laden cliffs along the Flathead River. Suddenly, the entire herd of goats, scattered in great alarm. Initially, I was unaware of the source of the panic but as the dust cleared, I realized that one of the goats was struggling under the weight a large mountain lion. The cat quickly dispatched the goat and within minutes of the first kill, it charged full speed toward an unsuspecting goat that was moving down hill toward the mineral lick. The force of the the second attack sent both animals down a steep rock face at which time the cougar let go his grip. They tumbled down into a ravine to within 20 feet below me; I watched intently as the lion maintained a firm grip on the goat’s neck. Eventually, the goat expired and the puma spotted me. The lion began advancing in my direction at which time I slowly retreated to prevent triggering it’s predatory instinct. The cougar continued to follow me but eventually and thankfully, it lost interest and I assume returned to the goat carcass.

I was unable to photograph the first encounter but I was able to capture some key images from the second attack. Both attacks unfolded in a matter of minutes; the speed, strength and agility of this mountain lion is unforgettable.

NOTE: these images are digital scans from my original kodachrome 64 slide film.

Initial Attack
The cougar attacked this unsuspecting goat as it made it's way toward the mineral lick. The lion immediately went for the throat.
mountain lion Felis concolor glacier national park montana
Momentum from the puma's charge forces both animals down a steep rock face
The pair tumbled down the rock face but before the goat could escape, the lion again had it by the neck.
Glacier National Park Image Knowledge and Light Photograph Steve Torna Wildlife attack cat cougar cougar attacks mountain lion felidae felis concolor goat lick montana mountain lion puma
After the goat expired, the puma notices my presence
The lion's jaws were tightly clenched around the goat's neck for some period of time. Once the goat died, the cougar immediately noticed my presence and began advancing toward me.
Glacier National Park Image Knowledge and Light Photograph Steve Torna Wildlife attack cat cougar cougar attacks mountain lion felidae felis concolor goat lick montana mountain lion puma
The big cat begins moving toward me
The lion began following me; at the time I assumed that it was stalking me. I slowly retreated and thankfully the puma turned back toward the carcass. I returned to the kill site the following day and observed both lion and grizzly tracks but the carcass was gone; only some fur remained.
Glacier National Park Image Knowledge and Light Photograph Steve Torna Wildlife attack cat cougar cougar attacks mountain lion felidae felis concolor goat lick montana mountain lion puma